Holodiscus dumosus is a species of flowering plant in the rose family, with the common names mountain spray, rock-spiraea, bush oceanspray, and glandular oceanspray.[2]
Description
Holodiscus dumosus is a deciduous spreading shrub, which grows from .5–6 meters (1+1⁄2–19+1⁄2 feet) in height and 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft) in width.[3] The stems intricately branch from the root crown and spread outward. The branches have shreddy bark and the smaller reddish twigs may be slightly spiny. The aromatic leaves are up to 2.3 centimeters (7⁄8 inch) long by 1.2 cm (1⁄2 in) wide.[4] They are lobed or toothed.[5]
The inflorescence is a feathery panicle of small, pinkish-white to cream colored flowers, each about 2 millimeters long.[3] The bloom period is June through August. They are insect-pollinated.
Small seeds are produced in tiny, dry capsules.[3] They are dispersed by the wind. The plant reproduces by seed and by sprouting from its root crown.[4]
The shrub tolerates a variety of soil types, as well as bare rock and rock fragments, such as crevices in cliffs and scree. It is drought-tolerant and survives in dry habitat, but it thrives in more moist locations, and can be found in wetter environments than its relative, Holodiscus discolor (creambush oceanspray). It can be found in cool, moist mountain forests in the central part of its range. It prefers sheltered locations that have less direct sunlight and wind. It anchors easily on steep slopes, and can grow on vertical topography, such as cliffs.[4]
